Thanks, twin, this will be fun

Thomas Willmott can thank his twin brother, Jacob, when they run out and deliver the match balls at today's one-day international cricket match between the Black Caps and Sri Lanka at the University Oval in Dunedin.

Andy Willmott, the father of the 10-year-old identical twins, entered Jacob in New Zealand Post's ball delivery competition for today's match and Thomas for Sunday's other ODI v Sri Lanka in Dunedin.

When Jacob won the competition, it was a ''bit of a blow'' for Thomas and ''we were in a bit of a flap'', his father said.

However, Jacob was willing to share his prize with his twin, and New Zealand Post and New Zealand Cricket made it happen.

''They do everything together and are keen cricket fans,'' their father said.

''Neither has won a competition before, so it's really great that they can share the excitement and the nerves.''

As well as sharing the same birthday, Thomas and Jacob also share the same favorite player - Otago's Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum.

The twins, who attend Tainui School, play cricket for Albion Moir and call themselves all-rounders.

Jacob and Thomas will run the two match balls out to the umpires in front of more than 3000 fans just before 11am.

Olivia Norris-Heenan (10), a Columba College pupil, won the competition for Sunday's ODI.

She was on holiday in Oamaru when her mother, Kerri, got the news.

''There were squeals of delight over the phone when I called.

''We have played a lot backyard cricket as a family this summer, but this is really taking things up a notch,'' she said.

by Robert van Royen